Shine

Shine charity (formerly Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus) was formed in 1966 to help families and individuals affected by these conditions.

In its vision statement, the charity states that it will "work with the foetal abnormality screening programme and others to monitor and improve the information and support given to parents whose unborn child is diagnosed with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus."

In December 2014, the charity criticised a UKIP candidate who, on his website, called for the compulsory abortion of unborn children with spina bifida. In a letter addressed to the politician, a SHINE spokesperson stated: "When anyone singles out 'foetuses' with spina bifida as more demanding of termination of pregnancy than any other foetus, they cast an unforgivably hurtful slur on the lives of thousands of people with spina bifida living in our country today."